Part of this process includes a Public Forum of citizens from the two communities who wish tohave input into the selection process. The Public Forum will be held on October 12th at 7:00 PM in the Genevieve Hawley Cafetorium at Henry Hudson Regional School, One Grand Tour, Highlands NJ.

Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey - The Atlantic Highlands Front PorchClub hosted its 7th Annual Chilifest on Saturday, October 1 at the Strauss Mansion inAtlantic Highlands. With 35 chili cook-off competitors and 400+ attendees, the FrontPorch Club raised over $10,000 to benefit the Atlantic Highlands Historical Society.The donation was made in honor of long-time Atlantic Highlands resident, Paul Boyd.Mr. Boyd, who passed away in February, 2011, was a former president of the HistoricalSociety, former Chairman of the Atlantic Highlands Environmental Commission and adedicated resident who worked tirelessly for his beloved town. He was pivotal in thepreservation and renovation of the Strauss Mansion, and he catalogued all of the historicbuildings in town.

Chili cook-off entrants competed for prizes in four categories, including Best in ’Fest,Most Exotic, Vegetarian and People’s Choice. For the first time in history, both thejudges and attendees agreed on the best chili in the competition, with the tag team effortof Neil Effron and Ross DiMiceli taking home the Best in ’Fest and People’s Choiceawards. Their chili, named Sleep Alone Tonight, beat out a tough field that includedother prize winners, including Teresa Irizarry for Most Exotic and Leslie Theyn for BestVegetarian. The People’s choice runners-up included Stu Scott for 2nd Place and PamelaAnderson, (a.ka. Corinna Thuss) for 3rd place.

Leonardo, New Jersey - NY/NJ Baykeeper placed 18 oyster nets into the water at Naval Weapons Station Earle today, in order to conduct scientific research about the viability of oysters in that area of the Raritan Bay.

"Caption Harrison's leadership and acknowledgment of the benefits of oyster restoration research led the Navy to patiently work through an extensive permitting process with NJDEP. Additionally, this project could not have come to fruition without Senator Kyrillos and his staff tirelessly working with NJ DEP to secure proper permits and make this day possible," said Debbie Mans, Executive Director of NY/NJ Baykeeper.

In July, 2010, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection banned research, restoration, and education projects using oysters in "contaminated" waters; waters classified as "Restricted" or "Prohibited" for shellfish harvest. The ban ground to a halt NY/NJ Baykeeper's scientific work to test the viability of restoring oysters in the Raritan Bay. Not content to abandon hope for restoring water quality in the Raritan Bay, NY/NJ Baykeeper approached the Navy about placing oyster nets at Naval Weapons Station Earle, which is under 24/7 security, and therefore eliminates any poaching risk.

Trenton, NJ - Governor Chris Christie has opted out of the 2012 Presidential race, despite the advice of some "serious" people nationally.

The governor said he will "stay committed to the job. It just didnt feel right to me before getting the job done." He said, "I believe this is where I belong."

The decision was made last night after consulting with his wife, Mary Pat, the governor said. He had been "in the midst of reconsidering " a run for the last few weeks - prior to his recent President Reagan Library speech. Ultimately, he said, the time was not right to leave New Jersey. Education reform, jobs, and getting the state's fiscal house in order were named among his priorieties.

"I am who I am," the governor said. "People would have judged me on what they see. And what they see is what they get."

He called his folks this morning and several of his supporters to share the news with them.

Asked about the "serious" people around the country who had provided advice, "There are people who see whats happening here in New Jersey," Gov. Christie said. "It was the accomplishments that people saw here in New Jersey." He said the ability to get things done in a blue state drew their attention.

The governor noted coyly about his courtship with Presidential politics. "Its a no, until its a yes."

There are many things that require attention on the national level, according to the governor, citing long-term debt and the need to improve the standing of America in the world.

He said he is committed to seeing that President Obama is not re-elected but it is too early to support a presidential nominee.

HIGHLANDS, NJ - Local author, John King has penned another Highlands history book, This one entitled, Wicked Tales from the Highlands, will be on sale in early November locally as well as from Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

From the book's back cover:

The Highlands was the first sighted by Henry Hudson himself and is known as the place where the Jersey Shore begins. Its beaches are perenially crowded with sunbathers. swimmers, and families. But buried under the sands, the Highlands hides sins from the past. Sandy Hook claimed North America's first European murder victim, a crewman on Hudson's Half Moon. During prohibition, mobsters supplied First Avenue and Bay Avenue businesses with plenty of booze. A man accused of shooting another with a cannon performed an Old West style jailbreak. And sometimes, soldiers stationed along the shores caused more trouble than they prevented.

Read about these and other wicked deeds committed in New Jersey's Highlands and Atlantic Highlands.